SO, you thought we must be getting close to the end of the CBD revitalisation program? Wrong. Council’s official estimate of a completion date is now mid-June (this year). That’s three months behind the previous estimate and even the June date, council concedes, depends on the weather. So here we are still with a lot of concrete and breathless anticipation of what comes next. But if you’re one of those critics unable to detect any beauty in what is already achieved, be kind and spare a thought for the Blue Circle Cement shareholders. They must be loving it. ONE council project that does score 10 out of 10 is the upgrade work completed at the city’s unique heritage tourism attraction. With substantial government financial assistance Blast Furnace Park is finally established, dare we say, as one of the nation’s premier industrial heritage attractions. ANOTHER important council project moving ever onward is the concrete cycling/walking path along Farmers Creek. It’s a major undertaking that is also of a high standard. The work began a couple of years back near the Geordie Street creek crossing and as funds became available has continued in stages along the back of the showground then behind Watsford and Conran Ovals to Albert Street. OUR article about the re-emergence of the long lost Blue Bird Cafe Cup for rugby league competition delighted all-round sporting figure and renowned raconteur Sandy Davidson. Sandy was a member of the old St Pats team that won the cup back in 1951. “The parish priest at the time was a real wowser,” he recalled, “and wouldn’t let the Protestants in the team get their hands on the cup for the photo.” Sixty-seven years later Sandy finally got to share in the moment of glory when he visited the history collection at the library. Seems they played their religious differences as hard as their football back in the 50s.

The Saint: CBD revitalisation far from finished

JOB WELL DONE: The Blast Furnace works have bolstered this historic site according to The Saint. Picture: KIRSTY HORTON.

SO, you thought we must be getting close to the end of the CBD revitalisation program? Wrong. Council’s official estimate of a completion date is now mid-June (this year). That’s three months behind the previous estimate and even the June date, council concedes, depends on the weather. So here we are still with a lot of concrete and breathless anticipation of what comes next. But if you’re one of those critics unable to detect any beauty in what is already achieved, be kind and spare a thought for the Blue Circle Cement shareholders. They must be loving it.

A classy attraction

ONE council project that does score 10 out of 10 is the upgrade work completed at the city’s unique heritage tourism attraction. With substantial government financial assistance Blast Furnace Park is finally established, dare we say, as one of the nation’s premier industrial heritage attractions.

A worthy asset

ANOTHER important council project moving ever onward is the concrete cycling/walking path along Farmers Creek. It’s a major undertaking that is also of a high standard. The work began a couple of years back near the Geordie Street creek crossing and as funds became available has continued in stages along the back of the showground then behind Watsford and Conran Ovals to Albert Street.

Sandy’s wait

OUR article about the re-emergence of the long lost Blue Bird Cafe Cup for rugby league competition delighted all-round sporting figure and renowned raconteur Sandy Davidson. Sandy was a member of the old St Pats team that won the cup back in 1951. “The parish priest at the time was a real wowser,” he recalled, “and wouldn’t let the Protestants in the team get their hands on the cup for the photo.”

Sixty-seven years later Sandy finally got to share in the moment of glory when he visited the history collection at the library. Seems they played their religious differences as hard as their football back in the 50s.